In Japanese, the word for "no" is いいえ (iie), which is the most direct and formal way to say it. However, Japanese culture often avoids outright refusals to maintain politeness, so other expressions are frequently used. For instance, ちょっと… (chotto…), meaning "a little…," is a common, indirect way to decline something without explicitly saying no. Similarly, 無理です (muri desu), meaning "it's impossible," or できません (dekimasen), meaning "I can't do it," are polite alternatives often used to refuse requests. In casual situations, you might hear いや (iya) or ううん (uun) [rising and falling and rising again pitch in the u-u-n, or high-low-high u-u-mn] for "no," though these can sound blunt depending on tone. Japanese also relies heavily on non-verbal cues, such as a hesitant pause or a slight shake of the head, to convey refusal.